BSB Castelldefels

BSB Castelldefels (The British School of Barcelona, Castelldefels) is the secondary school for BSB Sitges (pre school and primary). British Curriculum. Students take GCSE and then can choose IB diploma or A-Levels. Students can also take the Spanish ESO qualification at the end of year 11 if they wish.

Secondary Approach:

Our British Secondary pathway follows the best of the English National Curriculum, whilst giving us the flexibility to allow students to complete the Spanish ESO qualification by the time they come to the end of Year 11.

All teaching is in English, with the exception of Spanish and Catalan lessons, which are designed for all student levels from absolute beginner to native expert, and we also offer French and German throughout the school. Students sit exams in 9 or 10 GCSE subjects at the end of Year 11 and then have the choice of doing the IB diploma or A levels in our Nexus building for their final 2 years at school.

YEARS 7, 8 & 9 (AGES 11-14)

A Mastery Approach

In Years 7, 8 and 9 students work predominantly in mixed ability groups, with the exception of Spanish and Catalan, and follow the “Mastery” approach to ensure depth of knowledge and understanding.

In Years 7 and 8, certain subjects are combined to develop project-based learning skills and at the end of Year 8 we offer students the chance to choose six of their subjects from eleven options available, alongside the obligatory core curriculum.

YEARS 10 & 11 (AGES 14-16)

Preparing for GCSEs

We offer a really broad range of subjects and try to fit our offer around the choices of the students, rather than giving them a very rigid set of subject combinations, which students are obliged to follow.

Our students generally choose to study for either 9 or 10 GCSE qualifications, depending on whether they opt to study all three sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) individually or as Co-ordinated Science, which is worth two GCSE grades.

The vast majority of students sit Spanish GCSE early in Year 10, and the top Maths set will also sit GCSE Maths in Year 10 before going on to study Further Maths in Year 11.

Even if the subject is not taught in school, BSB will attempt to facilitate students undertaking exams in other subjects such as Russian and Chinese, for example.

Find out more about our approach to Secondary here

Pre University (6th Form) Approach:

The ideal bridge between school and university

Our Nexus Pre-University is the ideal stage for students to gain the academic qualifications necessary to enter an exciting range of great universities, and the character development skills required to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The Nexus Baccalaureate Experience

Our Nexus offers a genuine Pre-University experience, where students are encouraged to manage their time effectively, take on responsibility and value the wider community, in a caring, supportive environment.

Expectations are high, opportunities are broad, and results are impressive.

A Levels

On entering Year 12, BSB students can choose to follow the A level pathway.

In the majority of cases, these students will take 3 A level subjects from a choice of 16 and they will also take Spanish as a fourth A level subject.

A level students are also offered the opportunity to undertake the Extended Project Qualification, which is highly regarded by many universities

IB Diploma

As an alternative to A Levels, BSB baccalaureate students can choose to undertake the IB Diploma programme. The IB Diploma is currently offered at BSB Nexus in Castelldefels.

This requires all students to do 6 different subjects, including the obligatory study of maths, two languages and a minimum of one of the sciences.

All students will complete an extended essay and they must take part in the IB Creativity, Activity, Service programme (CAS).

Find out more about our pre-university experience, including extra curricular activities, here

Watch an introductory video to the school here: